Cut fingers, insulting text messages and humiliating photos were just some of the many issues that arose during the six-week-long trial between Johnny Depp in the United States. It also led to an extensive unpacking of the private lives of the actors. On Wednesday, the jury awarded $ 15 million to the actor of "Pirates of the Caribbean", who was declared the victor.
Johnny Depp sued Amber Heard in Fairfax Court, Washington. He had been in a relationship with Amber Heard from 2011 to 2016, and was married from 2015 to 2017, based on a column the actress wrote in the Washington Post in December 2018. The column is entitled "I stood up against the sexual violence and faced punishment from our society." It is still available online today. The actor, even though he isn't named in the text considered himself to be defamed in three passages, in particular that where Amber Heard claimed to be a "public figure representing domestic violence".
Johnny Depp claimed that the platform had damaged his career and reputation and sought 50 million dollars in damages. His ex-wife retaliated and demanded the double. She claimed that she was defamed in court by her ex-husband's former lawyer, who called her domestic violence accusations "hoaxes" back in April 2020 in The Daily Mail.
After 13 hours of deliberation the seven American jurors ruled for Johnny Depp. They found that the title and two passages of the tribune contained offensive remarks about the star of "Pirate of the Caribbean". He was awarded $15 million in damages. The five men and two women agreed that Amber Heard made false statements in describing herself as a victim to domestic violence and that she had acted with malicious intent, even though she didn't name her ex. -husband.
Gleichzeitig fanden the jurors that Johnny Depp had made defamatory comments towards the actress through her lawyer. However, they awarded him only two millions dollars in damages.
Johnny Depp, 58 years old, was not present in courtroom when the verdicts were announced. He posted a response on Instagram on Wednesday. He said, "The jury brought my life back to life." He said, "The best is yet and a new chapter have finally opened." The actor, 58, was on tour in the United Kingdom where he performed at several concerts by Jeff Beck. He once again thanked the "outpouring of love" from the hundreds of people who supported him every day in courtroom.
A few dozen people cheered the verdict in court on Wednesday. A security tape was used to hide the signs of support for the American actor. One man dressed up as Jack Sparrow (the character he portrays in "Pirate of the Caribbean") behind the curtain.
The 36-year old actress was present in court and welcomed the verdict with a serious expression, almost as if accusing the judge. The actress then expressed her "inexpressible sadness". She said that she was devastated by the insufficient evidence to confront the "far greater power, influence and ascendancy" of her ex-husband. I am even more disappointed by what this verdict means to other women. It is a setback. She said that it challenges the notion that violence against women should not be taken seriously.
According to the actress, Johnny Depp was a "monster" after consuming an explosive mix of drugs and alcohol. He refused to go to rehab. In March 2015, he would have raped her in Australia, where he was filming episode 5 "Pirates". The actor was left with a severed finger and had to be admitted to hospital. He claimed that it was Amber Heard's glare from the bottle. He was assured by her that he had not injured himself.
In May 2016, she was involved in another argument, during which Johnny Depp allegedly threw his phone in her face. She filed for divorce on grounds of domestic violence. She claimed she was the victim of a social media attack that had decimated her career.
He had in the meantime denounced the "staggering" allegations and stated that it was his wife who was violent. He said that he had never touched a woman during trial.
Each actor claimed that they had lost between 40- 50 million dollars in fees after the publication of The Tribune.
It's now too risky for a guy like him to be in billion-dollar franchises
